CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jim and the rest of the CSI team returned from lunch to the courtroom with a few minutes to spare. Brass stopped Iris just outside the doors. "Look it, no matter what that judge rules, we both know we busted butt to get this creep put away be it for life in prison or six feet under, get me?"
"Got it, boss, and got you," Iris said softly with a faint smile as they returned to their seats.
At 11:30 a.m., Judge Harris promptly returned to the bench as everyone rose and after banging his gavel to signal resumption of the hearing took his seat.
Nathan Randall turned his head partially and caught Iris's eye, he gave her a hint of a cryptic smile. She refused to acknowledge him in the least and continued to focus her attention on Judge Harris. Evelyn leaned over to whisper into her son's ear after giving Iris a cold stare.
"After having reviewed all of the evidentiary material and being assured there is none outstanding by Mr. Branch or Ms. Powell, I am prepared to make my ruling," Judge Harris stated.
The courtroom was as silent as a tomb at that point.
"It is the my ruling that Nathan Alexander Randall was at the time of the death of Heidi Watson, a minor child, experiencing an acute delusional psychotic break trigged by his ongoing struggle with the condition of pedophilia which can be attributed directly to the sexual abuse he endured as a child at the hands of a teacher. He has lived his life under the delusional idea that by becoming a teacher and in turn being sexually involved with children who were his students that he might exorcise his own mental demons by justifying the behavior. His mental state has been highly functional with him being able to work and perform other day-to-day activities without arousing overt suspicion as he fought not to give into his aberrant sexual urges. However, the part of him that could still reason rationally fought to assert itself and while he was being held in the LVPD jail he was overcome with remorse at his actions which subsequently caused him to attempt suicide. I hereby commit Nathan Alexander Randall to the Oasis Springs Mental Health Hospital for the care of treatment of his multiple mental and behavioral problems until such that time that he is found to be competent whereas he will immediately stand trial for the death of Heidi Watson."
The responses were varied throughout the room.
Scott Branch gave a grin of triumph, as Evelyn Randall embraced her son. D.A. Marissa Powell snapped her briefcase shut in frustration, knowing she would have no chance to give challenge to the ruling.
Grissom removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes wearily. Warrick clenched and unclenched his fists and exhaled loudly. Nick's brow was furrowed and his jaw set as he slowly shook his head. Greg looked downcast as he tried to understand what they had just heard. Sara tried to give Iris's hand a squeeze of reassurance and found it feeling ice cold. Her gaze shifted to Iris, whose face was white like marble, her eyes dark black in anger. Jim's own shock and disappointment were keenly etched on his face as his mind reeled in disbelief.
"Crud and crap," Iris said louder than she meant to. Sara's eyes boggled at her. Jim gave her a warning look as well.
Judge Harris had not yet dismissed them with a banging of his gavel. He gave Iris a measuring look. "You disapprove of my ruling…Miss?"
"Crime Scene Investigator Iris King, sir," Iris said evenly, rising to show respect for the judge.
"I am aware of your very personal involvement in this case and yet how you and your husband, Detective Brass, conducted yourselves with the utmost professionalism in the midst of very trying circumstances. You are both assets to your respective departments. I also understand how you would interpret my decision with disappointment but make no mistake, ma'am, I must also have the best interests of Mr. Randall in my ruling," Judge Harris said.
"Your Honor, I wish I could support your decision, but call it a hunch or woman's intuition or whatever, I believe this man will always be a high-grade threat to children no matter how much psychotherapy or medication or surgical or other treatment modalities are employed if he is ever released," Iris responded emphatically.
"Your concerns are noted, Investigator King. This court is adjourned." Judge Harris's gavel bang signaled the ending of the competency hearing.
Iris could only sigh and give Jim a look of frustration as she turned to get her purse as he waited to leave with her.
"Mith Rith?" Iris heard the voice of a very young sounding child…Heidi?
As she turned toward the voice, Nathan Randall gave a banshee yell as he leaped over the low-set partition between where he had been seated and the CSI personnel with Brass. He landed on Iris as they went crashing over the first bench to land on the floor, knocking Brass and Sara to the ground in the process. Randall's hands went around Iris's neck as he began to throttle her but he also kneed her viciously in the midsection. Iris fought back trying to remove his hands, her breathing labored as she squirmed and twisted.
"YOU TOOK HER AWAY FROM ME. HER VOICE IS IN MY HEAD TELLING ME TO DO THIS. SHE NEVER SLEEPS. SHE NEVER LETS ME SLEEP, WHY DID YOU TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME. HHHHEEEEIIIDIII," Randall screamed hysterically as his attack on Iris continued.
"Bailiffs, restrain that man!" roared Judge Harris.
Jim was on his feet in seconds and frantically trying to pull Randall from Iris. The rest of the CSI team was held back by other court security personnel as they tried desperately to get to Iris. His adrenalin pumping, Jim succeeded in breaking Randall's grip on Iris's throat and wrenching him away. With a right cross, Brass's punch landed squarely on Randall's jaw that sent him staggering as the bailiffs caught him and promptly subdued him.
Iris lay on her side, her breathing coming in labored to choking gasps with her knees drawn up protectively to her abdomen in a fetal position. With Sara's help, Jim gently and slowly helped Iris to sit up. He noted the reddened marks on her throat and swore under his breath. Though her eyes reflected her discomfort, her concern was for Jim. "You didn't…?
"Yeah, I cleaned his clock," Brass answered and without apology. He got up and went to where the bailiffs held Randall in handcuffs. "If you ever go near my wife again, I'll put you six feet under so help me God."
A shocked Judge Harris exclaimed, "Detective Brass, see to your wife and we'll see to Randall."
Evelyn Randall went to stand by her son before the bailiffs took him away. Her glance at Iris reflected no concern whatsoever.
Scott Branch attempted to speak to Brass whose visage plainly advised him against it, so he opted to go leave with Evelyn as the bailiffs removed Randall from the courtroom whose maniacal laughing continued to be heard from the hallway.
"Iris, honey, do you need to go to the emergency room?" Jim asked urgently as he sat beside her. Sara flanked Iris on the other side with Grissom while the rest of the CSI team stood behind them with concern mirrored in all their faces.
"My belly's a little sore and my throat's a bit raspy but I think we should just make the appointment," Iris said slowly.
"Then I'm calling Dr. Conklin's office to alert them as to what happened and maybe they can bump you up in line or something," Brass said abruptly as he got on his cell phone.
"Mother hen indeed," Sara said softly with a smile as she looked at Brass.
"He's overqualified," Greg agreed with his quirky grin.
"Iris, you keep me updated, girl. Okay?" Warrick said as he gave her a quick hug.
"I'm down with that and could you call Cat for me and tell her," Iris replied with a wink. Warrick gave her a friendly roll of the eyes in silent reply and nodded affirmatively.
"If you need anything from hand holding to emergency ice cream, you call me!" Nick said emphatically as Iris gave him a weak smile.
"If you two are free, you want to come with us?" Brass said to Grissom and Sara.
"Sure, we will! We're not due back on until tonight and it's not even one yet," Sara said committing herself and Grissom